The year has got off to a really positive start. We’ve already seen the Supreme Court ruling finding in favour of Doug Paulley - the culmination of a tireless campaign from Doug and disability rights campaigners across the country.

But there is still so much more to do. We’re going to be spending the first part of the year campaigning to improve access on our railways - fighting the government’s scandalous decision to delay 50% of Access For All projects, calling for reliable audio visual announcements on every platform and demanding network-wide availability of ‘Turn up and Go’ services.

Let's change this, so that disabled and older people can live their lives without worrying about how to get around.

You can help make real progress by becoming a Transport for All member today.

TfA members celebrated another campaign win with the government announcement that Taxi and PHV drivers will now face a £1000 fine for refusing to take wheelchair users (Read our article).

Tottenham Court Road becomes the 71st Tube station with step-free access today. We will be going soon to try it out.

Pros and Cons about the new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) trains

In January, our members Gwynneth Pedler and Mohammed Mohsanali were given the opportunity to tour the new Crossrail trains - which will be fully accessible thanks to the fantastic campaign by our members across London.

They were quite impressed by its design. However we were disappointed by the fact that there will be no toilet provision on board; and by the fact that the grab poles are black and silver, making it very difficult for people with visual impairments to see them. This is a major backwards step.

HELPLINEDon't forget that we can help you plan your accessible journey or take up your complaint with transport providers. Please do get in touch if you encounter any problems: every time we report a problem, it helps build the case for a more inclusive and reliable transport system.Please do get in touch.Tel: 020 7737 2339Email: contactus@transportforall.org.uk

FUNDRAISINGDid you know that there is a very easy way you could raise money for Transport for All. Thousands of stores will donate to Transport for All a percentage (1 to 2%) of every pound you spend when you shop through www.giveasyoulive.com. The best part of it is that it doesn’t cost you anything: the donation is made by the retailer. Find out more

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

It's obvious Donald Trump, is a racist, sexist and bully. He's also very far from being the President 'for the people', he's already cutting corporation tax, attacking the unions and trashing the meagre social care provision that exists in the United States. That's why the People's Assembly is playing a key role in building the movement to challenge Trump and his policies. As Theresa May gets closer to and closer to the Trump administration he poses a very real threat to the people of Britain too, May is already opening the door to US firms to buy up parts of the NHS in new trade deals with Trump. This has to be stopped.

It's vital we bring the broadest coalition of organisations together, say not to Trump, no to racism, no to sexism no to austerity. Trump and everything he represents, is not welcome in the UK.

All progressive organisations are welcome, if you or your organisation is interested in getting involved with the mobilisations against Trump, please get in touch us by emailing us at office@thepeoplesassembly.org.uk.

Join us on Saturday 18 February at 10am - 5pm, Friends House Euston organised by the People's Assembly, Unite the Union, CWU, NUT, Muslim Association of Britain, Stop the War Coalition, Stand up to Racism, and others.

The petition will be debated in Parliament on Monday 20 February. A day of action across the country will take place to coincide with the debate in parliament.

In London protests will take place in Parliament Square as the reading happens and continue into the evening. In other towns and cities protests will take place and the National Union of Students have called on students to a walk out of lessons. More details of the day of action will be available soon.

The other key issue is the NHS, already facing a humanitarian crisis, with new Trade deals with the states on the cards, the NHS could be facing it's final moments if we're not ready to stand and fight for it.

Join us Saturday 4 March, 12pm Tavistock Square for the #OurNHS National Demonstration.

Saturday, 4 February 2017

TUBE UNION RMT today suspended tube stations strike action scheduled to start on Sunday following talks which mean that nearly 60% of the original job cuts planned by LU have now been reversed after three years of solid campaigning.

LU, under Mayor Boris Johnson, slashed station staff numbers by 953. RMT's campaign, involving sustained industrial action, means that 533 of those jobs will have been reinstated.RMT particularly welcomes the agreement to reopen control rooms and the guarantee of promotion into safety critical grades for Customer Service Assistants grade 2 positions.

General Secretary Mick Cash said;“The fighting stance taken by RMT members since the jobs cull on our tube stations was first announced has reversed nearly 60% of those savage cuts."That is a tremendous victory and a reflection of the resilience and determination of our reps and the membership right across London Underground."We will now continue to work on implementation of the new staffing arrangements at the local level and as always RMT remains eternally vigilant.”